retirement
Requirements for Social Security eligibility changing in 2026
The new year begins in less than a month, and so are changes to many programs, including Social Security. One change is that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2.8 percent will be received in January; however, so will the new…
FIRE goggles
The FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) is a lifestyle focused on extreme saving and investing to achieve early retirement. Many people who embrace this retirement strategy view everyday purchases not as items or experiences but as the hours they…
The contribution limits are increasing
Social Security is a federal government program funded through payroll taxes that provides a basic level of retirement income. However, Social Security is only designed to replace about 40 percent of your pre-retirement income, not all of it. Over 70…
Living on Social Security
The Social Security program was created to provide a financial foundation for lower-income workers who had worked hard throughout their lives but would otherwise not be able to take care of themselves financially during retirement. However, Social Security was never…
Why HSAs are important
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are not considered traditional retirement accounts; however, they serve as an important component of retirement readiness. According to the 2024 Devenir & HSA Council Demographic Survey, there are more than 39.3 million HSAs in the U.S.,…
The Importance of a “Thoughtful Retirement Planning Process”
Thinking about retirement can be a fascinating–and often frightening–exercise. For many folks, the closer they get to that phase of life, the more daunting the planning for those years becomes. Do I have enough of a financial cushion for when…
Fear of Insolvency Driving Many Decisions to Claim Benefits Early
It’s not the only reason folks claim Social Security before full retirement age, but the growing anxiety over the program’s financial future has become a significant factor driving early filing. The Schroders 2025 US Retirement Survey results note that 36% of…
Returning to the Workforce in Retirement? Here’s a Common Question
Rejoining the workforce after claiming retirement benefits, as well as claiming benefits while continuing to work, raises an oft-asked question: Will my benefit increase as a result of paying more FICA taxes? That’s the subject of an msn.com article posted…
SECURE 2.0 and Catch-up Changes for 2026
As we get set for the coming year, now is a good time to ensure the retirement plan changes Introduced via SECURE 2.0 and scheduled for 2026 are clearly understood. If you’re reaching age 50 and had FICA-taxed wages above…
The 2026 Maximum Social Security Benefit…And How to Obtain It.
After application of the most recent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the Social Security Administration calculates that the maximum monthly benefit in 2026 has reached $5,251. That’s just a tad over $63,000 a year…an attractive retirement supplement in the eyes of many…